Detachable lanyard connector

ABSTRACT

A lanyard plug includes a head having a “T” shaped cross section with a top portion supported by a beam portion. The head is adapted to be retentively coupled in a groove of a device. A body is coupled to the beam portion of the head. A spring loaded pin is supported in a cavity of the body and extends through the top portion of the head.

BACKGROUND

Lanyards are typically ropes or cords and may be worn around the neck to carry an object. They are often used to secure an object to make it more difficult to lose, or to ensure that the object, such as a name tag, is visible. Lanyards typically use a clip or other complex mounting system to secure an object to the lanyard. Such mounting systems can also require multiple user actions to attach and detach, sometimes requiring undue amounts of manual dexterity to operate. Such clips may be made of plastic in some instances, and appear less than robust, engendering a lack of trust by consumers.

SUMMARY

A lanyard plug includes a head having a “T” shaped cross section with a top portion supported by a beam portion. The head is adapted to be retentively coupled in a groove of a device. A body is coupled to the beam portion of the head. A spring loaded pin is supported in a cavity of the body and extends through the top portion of the head.

In a further embodiment, a lanyard plug includes a head having a “T” shaped cross section with a top portion supported by a beam portion. The head is formed to be retentively coupled in a groove of a device. A body is coupled to the beam portion of the head. A metallic top portion and bottom portion couple to sandwich the body. A spring loaded pin is supported in a cavity of the body and extends through the beam portion and top portion of the head.

A device includes a housing having a “T” shaped groove coupled to the housing positioned to accept a “T” shaped lanyard plug at an end of the groove and a detent positioned in the groove to retentively receive a spring loaded pin of the lanyard when the lanyard is slid in the groove a distance corresponding to alignment of the pin and detent to releasably lock the lanyard in the groove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lanyard plug according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lanyard plug of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross section view of a lanyard plug and device having a groove to retentively mate with the lanyard plug according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the lanyard plug mating with the device groove according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a blown up cross section view of a portion of FIG. 4 illustrating the lanyard plug mating with the device groove according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a device with attached lanyard plug according to an example embodiment.

FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are a sequence of perspective views of a device having a lanyard plug attached according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments which may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural, logical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following description of example embodiments is, therefore, not to be taken in a limited sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lanyard plug 100 according to an example embodiment. The plug 100 includes a body 110 coupled to a head 115. The head 115 has a beam portion 120 extending from the body 110 to a top portion 125. In one embodiment, the body has a curved shape, gently arching between ends of the beam portion 120. The head 115 may be slightly curved and has a “T” shaped cross section to fit within a correspondingly curved groove of a device to secure the device and plug 100 together in a retentive manner. The head will slide into the groove and may be referred to as a slider.

A spring loaded pin 130 is shown protruding from the head 125. The pin 130 may operate to retractably protrude into a detent or opening in the device groove to hold the pin in the groove of the device when the head is slid into the groove. The spring loaded pin may also operate to push against sides of the head 125 facing the body 110 by pressing against the groove when the plug 100 head 115 is inserted into the groove. In one embodiment, the pin is supported via one or more springs within a cavity of the body shown in later figures. The pin 130 extends through the beam portion 120 and top portion 125. The lanyard plug 100 may be coupled to a cord indicated at 140, which may form a loop for wearing by a consumer around a wrist, neck, or other body part, or hanging on a hook.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lanyard plug 100 illustrating the construction of plug 100. The body 110 in one embodiment includes a middle portion 210, top portion 215, and bottom portion 220. In one embodiment, the middle portion 210 includes a cavity 225 into which the pin 130 is disposed, with an opening 230 extending from the cavity 225 through the beam 120 and head 115. The cavity 225 may be sized to accommodate the pin and its movement in some embodiments, or may be larger as shown. Middle portion 210 may also include a cord opening 235 for attaching a cord to the plug 100. In one embodiment, the middle portion of the body is formed of plastic, and the top and bottom portions may be formed of metal, such as for example, aluminum, to provide a robust sandwich appearance.

Bottom portion 220 in one embodiment may include a stop 240 and one or more spring guide protrusions 245. The stop 240 may be positioned within the cavity 225 when assembled to support one end of springs 250. The pin may include a base portion 255 having multiple projection portions, each positioned to support and hold a corresponding spring 250 in place when assembled such that the springs are positioned within the cavity to contact the base portion 255 of the pin and bias a projecting portion 258 of the pin 130 to extend through the top portion 125 of the head 115.

In an alternative embodiment, the multiple springs 250 contact the cavity 225 on a first wall 260 of the cavity (or alternatively stop 240) and bias the base portion of the pin against a second wall 265 of the cavity opposite the first wall 260 of the cavity 225. In still further embodiments, the second wall 265 may be recessed within the pin 130, with a portion of wall 260 protruding inside the recession such that one or more springs are at least partially enclosed within the recession in the pin 130 while still allowing movement of the pin. In one embodiment, the top portion 125 of the head 115 is bowed downward toward the beam portion of the head.

In one embodiment, the top portion and bottom portion of the body 110 have mating openings for insertion of screws 270 to couple the portions together such that the top and bottom portions sandwich the middle portion and cover the cavity 225. The cavity so covered secures the pin in a spring biased relationship against the wall 265 of the cavity such that the protrusion 258 extends out opening 230. In one embodiment, the 110 body extends in an arc away from ends of the beam portion, forming a semicircular shape in a same plane as the head 115. In another embodiment, the top portion and bottom portion of the body 110 are glued instead of being screwed. A snap fit or other fastening of the top and bottom portions may be used in further embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a cross section view 300 of a lanyard plug 100 and device 310 having a groove 315 to retentively mate with the lanyard plug 100 according to an example embodiment. The groove 315 is formed with protrusions 320 forming a slot that has a same cross section as the top portion 125 and beam portion 120 with sides 325, 330 of the head accepting the plug 100 when inserted from a side of the grove and slide through the groove. The projecting portion 258 of the head 115 extends at least partially into a detent 335 in the groove to lock the head 115 into place in the groove 315. In some embodiments, the spring loaded pin operates to press the sides 325 and 330 of the head against the protrusions 320. Application of lateral force in the direction of the groove may release the pin from the detent, allowing the head to slide out of the grove, detaching the lanyard 100 from the device 310.

FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the lanyard plug 100 mating with the device 310 groove 315 according to an example embodiment. The groove may be formed at an angle to a plane defined by a body of device 310. In various embodiments, device 310 may be a smart phone, tablet, or other electronic device, or other device having value to a consumer.

FIG. 5 is a blown up cross section view of a portion of FIG. 4 illustrating the lanyard plug 100 mating with the device groove 315 according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the device 310 with attached lanyard plug 100 with cord 140 according to an example embodiment. The groove may reside on any portion of the device 310 desired in various embodiments. As shown, the groove resides on a bottom end of the device 310. In further embodiments, the groove may be placed on the sides, top, or bottom of the device, and in still further embodiments, multiple groves may be provided to enable different attachment points.

FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are perspective views of a plug 710 being slide into retentive contact with a groove 715 of a device 720. The plug is slid laterally into a first end 725 of the groove in FIG. 7, and moved toward a second end 730 of the groove 715 in FIG. 8. When the pin encounters the detent in the groove, a distinct clicking sound along with tactile feedback may be heard and felt indicating the pin has entered the detent. FIG. 9 shows the engagement at about the center of the length of the groove. When more forceful lateral pressure is applied, the pin will retract, allowing the plug to be slid out either the first or second side of the groove 715. In some embodiments, the groove may only extend and allow insertion and removal from one side of the detent.

In some embodiments, the projecting portion 258 of the pin may have sloped ends to facilitate compression of the spring, allowing for easier insertion and removal of the plug by providing a ramp like structure to slide on as the plug is moved laterally out of the detent. The detent may also or alternatively have such sloped ends, such as chamfer. In further embodiments, the locations of the pin and detent may be reversed, with the pin being located in groove 315 of the device 310, and the detent located at the opening 230 of plug 100.

EXAMPLES

1. A lanyard plug comprising:

-   -   a head having a “T” shaped cross section with a top portion         supported by a beam portion, the head adapted to be retentively         coupled in a groove of a device;     -   a body coupled to the beam portion of the head, the body having         a cavity; and     -   a spring loaded pin supported in the cavity of the body and         extending through the top portion of the head.

2. The lanyard plug of example 1 wherein the spring loaded pin extends through the beam portion of the head.

3. The lanyard plug of any of examples 1 wherein the body is formed of plastic.

4. The lanyard plug of example 3 and further comprising:

-   -   a top portion; and     -   a bottom portion, wherein the top portion and bottom portion         couple to sandwich the body.

5. The lanyard plug of example 4 wherein the top portion and bottom portion are formed of metal.

6. The lanyard plug of example 5 wherein the metal comprises aluminum.

7. The lanyard plug of any of examples 5-6 wherein the bottom portion includes a stop to contact springs of the spring loaded pin.

8. The lanyard plug of any of examples 1-7 wherein the pin comprises:

-   -   a base portion; and     -   a projecting portion extending from the base portion through the         top portion of the head.

9. The lanyard plug of example 8 and further comprising multiple springs positioned within the cavity to contact the base portion of the pin and bias the projecting portion of the pin to extend through the top portion of the head.

10. The lanyard plug of example 9 wherein the multiple springs contact the cavity on a first wall of the cavity and bias the base portion of the pin against a second wall of the cavity opposite the first wall of the cavity.

11. The lanyard plug of any of examples 9-10 wherein the base portion of the pin contains multiple protrusions, each configured to mate with one of the multiple springs.

12. The lanyard plug of any of examples 1-11 wherein the top portion of the head is bowed downward toward the beam portion of the head.

13. The lanyard plug of any of examples 1-12 wherein the body extends in an arc away from ends of the beam portion, forming a semicircular shape in a same plane as the head.

14. A lanyard plug comprising:

-   -   a head having a “T” shaped cross section with a top portion         supported by a beam portion, the head adapted to be retentively         coupled in a groove of a device;     -   a body coupled to the beam portion of the head, the body having         a cavity;     -   a metallic top portion;     -   a metallic bottom portion, wherein the top portion and bottom         portion couple to sandwich the body; and     -   a spring loaded pin supported in the cavity of the body and         extending through the beam portion and top portion of the head.

15. The lanyard plug of example 14 wherein the body is formed of plastic.

16. The lanyard plug of any of examples 14-15 wherein the metallic top portion and metallic bottom portion comprise aluminum.

17. The lanyard plug of any of examples 14-16 wherein the bottom portion includes a stop to contact springs of the spring loaded pin.

18. The lanyard plug of any of examples 14-17 wherein the pin comprises:

-   -   a base portion; and     -   a projecting portion extending from the base portion through the         top portion of the head.

19. The lanyard plug of example 18 and further comprising multiple springs positioned within the cavity to contact the base portion of the pin and bias the projecting portion of the pin to extend through the top portion of the head.

20. The lanyard plug of example 19 wherein the multiple springs contact the cavity on a first wall of the cavity and bias the base portion of the pin against a second wall of the cavity opposite the first wall of the cavity and wherein the base portion of the pin contains multiple protrusions, each configured to mate with one of the multiple springs.

21. A device includes:

-   -   a housing;     -   a “T” shaped groove coupled to the housing positioned to accept         a “T” shaped lanyard plug at an end of the groove; and     -   a detent positioned in the groove to retentively receive a         spring loaded pin of the lanyard when the lanyard is slid in the         groove a distance corresponding to alignment of the pin and         detent to releasably lock the lanyard in the groove.

Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. For example, components may be added to, or removed from, the described systems. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A lanyard plug comprising: a head having a “T” shaped cross section with a top portion supported by a beam portion, the head adapted to be retentively coupled in a groove of a device; a body coupled to the beam portion of the head, the body having a cavity; and a spring loaded pin supported in the cavity of the body and extending through the top portion of the head.
 2. The lanyard plug of claim 1 wherein the spring loaded pin extends through the beam portion of the head.
 3. The lanyard plug of claim 1 wherein the body is formed of plastic.
 4. The lanyard plug of claim 3 and further comprising: a top portion; and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion and bottom portion couple to sandwich the body.
 5. The lanyard plug of claim 4 wherein the top portion and bottom portion are formed of metal.
 6. The lanyard plug of claim 5 wherein the metal comprises aluminum.
 7. The lanyard plug of claim 5 wherein the bottom portion includes a stop to contact springs of the spring loaded pin.
 8. The lanyard plug of claim 1 wherein the pin comprises: a base portion; and a projecting portion extending from the base portion through the top portion of the head.
 9. The lanyard plug of claim 8 and further comprising multiple springs positioned within the cavity to contact the base portion of the pin and bias the projecting portion of the pin to extend through the top portion of the head.
 10. The lanyard plug of claim 9 wherein the multiple springs contact the cavity on a first wall of the cavity and bias the base portion of the pin against a second wall of the cavity opposite the first wall of the cavity.
 11. The lanyard plug of claim 9 wherein the base portion of the pin contains multiple protrusions, each configured to mate with one of the multiple springs.
 12. The lanyard plug of claim 1 wherein the top portion of the head is bowed downward toward the beam portion of the head.
 13. A lanyard plug comprising: a head having a “T” shaped cross section with a top portion supported by a beam portion, the head adapted to be retentively coupled in a groove of a device; a body coupled to the beam portion of the head, the body having a cavity; a metallic top portion; a metallic bottom portion, wherein the top portion and bottom portion couple to sandwich the body; and a spring loaded pin supported in the cavity of the body and extending through the beam portion and top portion of the head.
 14. The lanyard plug of claim 13 wherein the body is formed of plastic.
 15. The lanyard plug of claim 13 wherein the metallic top portion and metallic bottom portion comprise aluminum.
 16. The lanyard plug of claim 13 wherein the bottom portion includes a stop to contact springs of the spring loaded pin.
 17. The lanyard plug of claim 13 wherein the pin comprises: a base portion; and a projecting portion extending from the base portion through the top portion of the head.
 18. The lanyard plug of claim 17 and further comprising multiple springs positioned within the cavity to contact the base portion of the pin and bias the projecting portion of the pin to extend through the top portion of the head.
 19. The lanyard plug of claim 18 wherein the multiple springs contact the cavity on a first wall of the cavity and bias the base portion of the pin against a second wall of the cavity opposite the first wall of the cavity and wherein the base portion of the pin contains multiple protrusions, each configured to mate with one of the multiple springs.
 20. A device comprising: a housing; a “T” shaped groove coupled to the housing positioned to accept a “T” shaped lanyard plug at an end of the groove; and a detent positioned in the groove to retentively receive a spring loaded pin of the lanyard when the lanyard is slid in the groove a distance corresponding to alignment of the pin and detent to releasably lock the lanyard in the groove. 